Section 10.1
1. What are some problems associated with assessing the costs of IT?
One of the major challenges is to allocate fixed costs among different IT projects. For IT, fixed costs include infrastructure cost, cost of IT services, and IT management cost. Another complication is that the cost of a system does not end when the system is installed. Costs for maintaining, debugging, and improving the system can accumulate over many years.
2. What difficulties accompany the intangible benefits from IT?
The difficulties that accompany the intangible benefits from IT are that they are difficult to measure/ harder to quantify. This can include such things as improved customer or partner relation or improved decision-making.
3. Define NPV and ROI, and business case approaches.
Net Present Value (NPV) measures the present value of an investment's future net cash flows minus the initial investment.
Return on Investment (ROI) measures management’s effectiveness in generating profits with its available assets.
Section 10.5 –
1. What type of companies provide outsourcing service?
Small or medium-sized companies with few IT staff and limited budgets are best served by outside contractors. Large companies may also choose this strategy in certain circumst6ances. For example, they might want to experiment with new IT technologies without making a substantial upfront investment. They also might use outsourcing to protect their internal networks and to gain access to outside experts.
2. Define ASPs and list their advantages to companies using them.
Application Service Providers (ASPs) are agents or vendors that lease software applications, usually via the Internet.
Some advantages include:
Save costs
Reduces software maintenance and upgrades
Reduces user training
Makes the company more competitive by reducing time-to-market and enhances the company’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
3. List some disadvantages of ASPs.
Some disadvantages include:
ASPs might not offer adequate security protection
Software might not be a perfect fit for the desired application
Company must make certain that the speed of the Internet connection between the company nad the ASP is adequate to handle the requirements of the application.
Section 10.6 –
1. List the major steps of selection of a vendor and a software package.
The process of vendor and software selection is composed of six steps: identify potential vendors, determine evaluation criteria, evaluate vendors and packages, chose the vendor and package, negotiate a contract, and establish service level agreements.
2. Describe a request for proposal (RFP).
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a document that is sent to potential vendors inviting them to submit a proposal describing their software package and how it would meet the company’s needs.
3. Describe SLAs.
Service Legal Agreements (SLAs) are formal agreements regarding the division of work between a company and its vendors.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Week 12: Chapter 9
Section 9.1 -
1. Describe the decision-making process proposed by Simon.
Simon described the decision-making process as composed of three major phases: intelligence, design and choice. A fourth phase was added later; the implementation stage.
Intelligence phase: managers examine a situation and identify and define the problem.
Design phase: decision makers construct a model that simplifies the problem. They do this by making assumptions that simplify reality and by expressing the relationships among all the relevant variables. Managers then validate the model by using test data. Finally, decision makers set criteria for evaluating all potential solutions that are proposed.
Choice phase: involves selecting a solution, which is tested “on paper”.
Implementation phase: Implementation is successful if the proposed solution actually resolves the problem.
2. Why do managers need IT support?
Managers need IT support:
- The number of alternatives to be considered constantly increases. (global market, internet)
- Decisions must be made under time pressure.
- Decisions are more complex (requires modeling)
- Decision makers can be in different locations and so is the information.
A decision matrix is a decision support framework consisting of nine cells and divided between the three primary classes of problem structure and the three broad categories of the nature if decisions.
(Figure 9.2; Rainer and Turban, p.266)
Section 9.2
1. Describe the capabilities of data mining.
Data mining derives its name from searching for valuable business information in a large database, data warehouse, or data mart. Data mining can perform two basic operations: predicting trends and behaviours and identifying previously unknown patterns.
Section 9.3 -
1. What are some of the capabilities of digital dashboards?
- Provide rapid access to timely information.
- Provide direct access to management reports.
- Are very user friendly and supported by graphics.
Week 11: Chapter 8
Section 8.1 -
1. What is a Transactional Processing and the role of TP systems. State the key objective of TP/TPSs.
The backbone of most information systems applications is the transaction processing system. TPSs monitor, store, collect and process data generated from all business transactions. These data provide the inputs into the organisation’s database.
Section 8.2 -
1. What is a functional area information system? List its major characteristics.
A functional area information system (FAIS) is designed to support lower and midlevel managers in functional areas. FAISs generate reports (routine, ad hoc, and exception) and provide information to managers regardless of their functional areas.
2. How does an FAIS support management by exception? How does it support on-demand reports?
Exception reports include only information that falls outside certain threshold standards. To implement management by exception, management first creates performance standards. The company then sets up systems to monitor performance (via the incoming data about business transactions such as expenditures), compare actual performance to the standards, and identify predefined exceptions. Managers are alerted to the exceptions via exception reports.
Section 8.3-
1. Define ERP and describe its functionalities.
Enterprise resource planning systems integrate the planning, management, and use of all of the organisation’s resources. The major objective of ERP systems is to tightly integrate the functional areas of the organisation. The integration enables information to flow seamlessly across the various functional areas. ERP software includes a set of interdependent software modules, linked to a common database, that provide support for internal business processes.
2. List some drawbacks of ERP software.
ERP can be extremely complex, expensive and time consuming to implement. Companies may need to change existing business processes to fit the predefined business process of the software. For companies with well-established procedures, this requirement can be a huge problem. Finally, companies must purchase the entire software package even if they only require only a few modules. For these reasons, ERP software is not attractive to everyone.
Section 8.5 -
1. Define a supply chain and supply chain management (SCM).
A supply chain is a network of organisation and facilities that transforms raw materials into products delivered to customers. The function of supply chain management (SCM) is to plan, organise, and optimize the supply chain’s activities.
2. List the major components of supply chains.
Upstream: where sourcing or procurement from external suppliers occurs.
Internal: where packaging, assembly or manufacturing takes place.
Downstream: where distribution takes place, frequently by external distributors.
Tiers of suppliers: a supplier may have one or more sub suppliers, and the sub supplier may have its own sub suppliers and so on.
3. What is the bullwhip effect?
Bullwhip effect: where variability in the size and timing of orders increase at each stage up the supply chain, from customer to supplier. 4. What are some solutions to supply chain problems?
Using inventories to solve supply chain problems and information sharing.
Section 8.6 -
1. Define EDI and list its major benefits and limitations
EDI is a communication standard that enables the electronic transfer of routine documents, such as purchasing orders, between business partners. It formats these documents according to agreed-upon standards. It reduces costs, delays and errors inherent in manual document-delivery system.
2. Define an extranet and explain its infrastructure (in relation to Internet technologies).
Extranets are networks that link business partners to one another over the Internet by providing access to certain areas of one another’s corporate intranets.
3. List and briefly define the major types of extranets.
The three main types of Extrenets include:
A company and its dealers, customers or suppliers (FEdex)
An industry’s extranet (ANX)
Joint ventures and other business partnerships (Bank of America)
1. What is a Transactional Processing and the role of TP systems. State the key objective of TP/TPSs.
The backbone of most information systems applications is the transaction processing system. TPSs monitor, store, collect and process data generated from all business transactions. These data provide the inputs into the organisation’s database.
Section 8.2 -
1. What is a functional area information system? List its major characteristics.
A functional area information system (FAIS) is designed to support lower and midlevel managers in functional areas. FAISs generate reports (routine, ad hoc, and exception) and provide information to managers regardless of their functional areas.
2. How does an FAIS support management by exception? How does it support on-demand reports?
Exception reports include only information that falls outside certain threshold standards. To implement management by exception, management first creates performance standards. The company then sets up systems to monitor performance (via the incoming data about business transactions such as expenditures), compare actual performance to the standards, and identify predefined exceptions. Managers are alerted to the exceptions via exception reports.
Section 8.3-
1. Define ERP and describe its functionalities.
Enterprise resource planning systems integrate the planning, management, and use of all of the organisation’s resources. The major objective of ERP systems is to tightly integrate the functional areas of the organisation. The integration enables information to flow seamlessly across the various functional areas. ERP software includes a set of interdependent software modules, linked to a common database, that provide support for internal business processes.
2. List some drawbacks of ERP software.
ERP can be extremely complex, expensive and time consuming to implement. Companies may need to change existing business processes to fit the predefined business process of the software. For companies with well-established procedures, this requirement can be a huge problem. Finally, companies must purchase the entire software package even if they only require only a few modules. For these reasons, ERP software is not attractive to everyone.
Section 8.5 -
1. Define a supply chain and supply chain management (SCM).
A supply chain is a network of organisation and facilities that transforms raw materials into products delivered to customers. The function of supply chain management (SCM) is to plan, organise, and optimize the supply chain’s activities.
2. List the major components of supply chains.
Upstream: where sourcing or procurement from external suppliers occurs.
Internal: where packaging, assembly or manufacturing takes place.
Downstream: where distribution takes place, frequently by external distributors.
Tiers of suppliers: a supplier may have one or more sub suppliers, and the sub supplier may have its own sub suppliers and so on.
3. What is the bullwhip effect?
Bullwhip effect: where variability in the size and timing of orders increase at each stage up the supply chain, from customer to supplier. 4. What are some solutions to supply chain problems?
Using inventories to solve supply chain problems and information sharing.
Section 8.6 -
1. Define EDI and list its major benefits and limitations
EDI is a communication standard that enables the electronic transfer of routine documents, such as purchasing orders, between business partners. It formats these documents according to agreed-upon standards. It reduces costs, delays and errors inherent in manual document-delivery system.
2. Define an extranet and explain its infrastructure (in relation to Internet technologies).
Extranets are networks that link business partners to one another over the Internet by providing access to certain areas of one another’s corporate intranets.
3. List and briefly define the major types of extranets.
The three main types of Extrenets include:
A company and its dealers, customers or suppliers (FEdex)
An industry’s extranet (ANX)
Joint ventures and other business partnerships (Bank of America)
Week 10: Chapter 7
1. Identify common wireless devices and their application to business
PDA’s, GPS, SmartPhone (3g), Laptops.
2. Describe the various types and general characteristics of wireless transmission media/technologies - microwave, satellite, infrared and radio waves.
Microwave, satellite and infrared are line of sight methods while radio signals travel through the air can pass through walls.
3. What is bluetooth/how is it used?
Bluetooth: Chip technology that enables short range connection (data and voice) between wireless devices.
4. What are WLAN's, Wi-Fi, WWAN's, WiMax?
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): A computer network in a limited georgraphical area that uses wireless transmission for communication.
Wireless Fidelity (WI-FI): A set of standards for wireless local area networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Wi-Fi has a range of about 300 feet and a data transfer rate up to 54 Mbps. The major benefits of Wi-Fi are its lower cost and its ability to provide simple Internet access.
Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN): based on cellular networks, Wi-Fi is reducing the need for wireless wide are networks based on cellular technology.
Wi-Max: has a wireless access range of up to 31 miles and a data transfer rate of up to 75 Mbps. It offers features such as voice and video.
5. What are the drivers of mobile computing and mobile commerce
The drivers for mobile computing include:
PDA’s, GPS, SmartPhone (3g), Laptops.
2. Describe the various types and general characteristics of wireless transmission media/technologies - microwave, satellite, infrared and radio waves.
Microwave, satellite and infrared are line of sight methods while radio signals travel through the air can pass through walls.
3. What is bluetooth/how is it used?
Bluetooth: Chip technology that enables short range connection (data and voice) between wireless devices.
4. What are WLAN's, Wi-Fi, WWAN's, WiMax?
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): A computer network in a limited georgraphical area that uses wireless transmission for communication.
Wireless Fidelity (WI-FI): A set of standards for wireless local area networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Wi-Fi has a range of about 300 feet and a data transfer rate up to 54 Mbps. The major benefits of Wi-Fi are its lower cost and its ability to provide simple Internet access.
Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN): based on cellular networks, Wi-Fi is reducing the need for wireless wide are networks based on cellular technology.
Wi-Max: has a wireless access range of up to 31 miles and a data transfer rate of up to 75 Mbps. It offers features such as voice and video.
5. What are the drivers of mobile computing and mobile commerce
The drivers for mobile computing include:
- real‐time, wireless connections between mobile devices and other computing/IT environments, such as the Internet
- electronic transactions conducted in a wireless environment (via wireless technologies).
- Widespread availability of mobile devices
- No need for a PC
- The “mobile phone culture”
- Declining prices
- Bandwidth improvement
6. Explain how mobile technologies can be applied to business solutions
7. Explain the nature of RFID
Radio- Frequency identification technology: A wireless technology that allows manufacturers to attach tags with antennas and computer chips on goods and then track their movement through radio signals.
8. Identify the 4 main security threats that arise from the use of mobile technologies
Rogue access point: is an unauthorized access point to a wireless network.
War driving: is the act of locating WLANs while driving around a city or elsewhere.
Eavesdropping: refers to efforts by unauthorised users to try to access data travelling over wireless networks.
Radio Frequency jamming: is when a person or a device intentionally or unintentionally interferes with your wireless network transmissions.
Week 9: Chapter 6
Section 6.1-
1. Define e-commerce and distinguish it from e-business.
ECommerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over public and private computer networks.
A related term is that of e-business, a broader definition, not just buying and selling but also servicing customers, collaborating with business partners and conducting electro nic transactions within an organisation.
2. Distinguish among B2C, B2B, C2C and B2E electronic commerce.
B2C: Electronic commerce in which the sellers are organisations and the buyers are individuals; also known as e-tailing.
B2B: Electronic commerce in which both the seller and the buyers are business organisations.
C2C: Electronic commerce in which both the buyer and the seller are individuals (not businesses).
B2E: An organisation using electronic commerce internally to provide information and services to its employees.
3. List some benefits and limitations of e-commerce.
Benefits to businesses
- National and international markets are more accessible
- Lower costs of processing, distributing, and retrieving information
- Benefits to customers
- Access to products and services at any time
Benefits to Society
Can deliver information, services and products to people in cities, rural areas and developing countries.
Technological Limitations
- Lack of universally accepted payment and security standards
- Insufficient telecommunications bandwidth in some areas
- Not everyone has access/access varies
- Lots of IT solutions – which to choose?
Non-technological Limitations
- Perception that EC is unsecure/not reliable
- Unresolved legal issues, eg. tax related
- Harder to market to consumers?
Section 6.2 -
1. List the major issues relating to e-tailing.
Electronic retailing (e-tailing) is the direct sale of products and services through electronic storefronts or electronic malls, usually designed around an electronic catalogue format and/or auctions. The issue include that EC offers a wider variety of products and services, including the most unique items, often at lower prices. Furthermore, within seconds, shoppers can access very detailed supplementary information on products. In addition, they can easily locate and compare competitors’ products and process. Finally, buyers can find hundreds of thousands of sellers.
2. What are spamming, permission marketing and viral marketing?
Spamming: Indiscriminate distribution of e-mail without the receiver’s permission.
Permission marketing: Method of marketing that asks consumers to give their permission to voluntarily accept online advertising and e-mail.
Viral marketing: Online word of mouth marketing.
Section 6.4 –
1. List the various electronic payment mechanisms.
Electronic payments can be made by e-checks, e-credit-cards, purchasing cards, e-cash, stored-value money cards, smart cards, person-to-person payments via services like Pay-Pal, electronic bill presentment and payment, and e-wallets/.
2. What are micropayments?
Micropayments are electronic payments for small-purchase amounts, generally less than $10.
Section 6.5-
1. List some ethical issues in EC.
Ethical issues to consider are threats to buyers, including the protection of buyers’ identities. Tracking with the use of Cookies can raise privacy concerns.
2. List the major legal issues of EC.
Some legal issues involved include the value of domain names, taxation of online business, fraud and copyright.
Week 8: Chapter 5
Section 5.1 –
1. Describe the three network applications that we discussed in this section and the tools and technologies that support each one.
Discovery: involves the browsing and information retrieval, and provides users the ability to view information in databases, download it and/or process it. Discovery tools include search engines, directories and portals.
Networks provide fast, inexpensive communications and blogs.
Collaboration: refers to mutual efforts by two or more entities who work together to accomplish tasks.
2. What are the business conditions that are leading to the increased importance of videoconferencing?
In a videoconference, participants in one location can see one another as well as the documents. This enables participants to seamlessly share data, voice, pictures, graphics and animation by electronic means. Conferees can also transmit data along with voice and video, which allows them to work on documents together and exchange computer files. The importance of video conferencing means that organisations can participate in business all around the world and exchange valuable information, ideas and data.
Section 5.2 –
1. Describe the underlying technologies, applications and types of Web sites that comprise Web 2.0.
Information technologies and applications used by Web 2.0 sites include XML, AJAX, tagging, blogs, Wikis, Really Simple Sydnication, podcasting and video conferencing. Web 2.0 Web sites that use some or all of these technologies and applications may be grouped into several categories: social media, aggregators and mashups.
2. Describe the function of Web services.
Web-services are self-contained, self-describing applications, delivered over the Internet that users can select and combine through almost any device (computers, mobile phones). By using a set of shared protocols and standards, these applications permit different systems to talk with one another, that is to share data and services without requiring human beings to translate the conversations.
3. Describe the function of service-oriented architectures.
A service-orientated architecture (SAO) is an IT architecture that makes it possible to construct business applications using Web services, which can be reused across an organisation in other applications.
1. Describe the three network applications that we discussed in this section and the tools and technologies that support each one.
Discovery: involves the browsing and information retrieval, and provides users the ability to view information in databases, download it and/or process it. Discovery tools include search engines, directories and portals.
Networks provide fast, inexpensive communications and blogs.
Collaboration: refers to mutual efforts by two or more entities who work together to accomplish tasks.
2. What are the business conditions that are leading to the increased importance of videoconferencing?
In a videoconference, participants in one location can see one another as well as the documents. This enables participants to seamlessly share data, voice, pictures, graphics and animation by electronic means. Conferees can also transmit data along with voice and video, which allows them to work on documents together and exchange computer files. The importance of video conferencing means that organisations can participate in business all around the world and exchange valuable information, ideas and data.
Section 5.2 –
1. Describe the underlying technologies, applications and types of Web sites that comprise Web 2.0.
Information technologies and applications used by Web 2.0 sites include XML, AJAX, tagging, blogs, Wikis, Really Simple Sydnication, podcasting and video conferencing. Web 2.0 Web sites that use some or all of these technologies and applications may be grouped into several categories: social media, aggregators and mashups.
2. Describe the function of Web services.
Web-services are self-contained, self-describing applications, delivered over the Internet that users can select and combine through almost any device (computers, mobile phones). By using a set of shared protocols and standards, these applications permit different systems to talk with one another, that is to share data and services without requiring human beings to translate the conversations.
3. Describe the function of service-oriented architectures.
A service-orientated architecture (SAO) is an IT architecture that makes it possible to construct business applications using Web services, which can be reused across an organisation in other applications.
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